Vector Map Rendering for Real-Time Multi-User Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for generating customized maps struggle to support multiple users concurrently and real-time updates of user locations and messages, with challenges in sharing data across multiple database servers and devices, and dynamic rendering of maps as raster images.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method and system that generates customized maps in a client-server architecture, rendering maps in string format rather than raster, allowing for real-time updates of dynamic content and efficient sharing across users with pre-defined access criteria, using a distributed network architecture for data storage and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If maps are rendered as raster images, then visual display is achieved, but real-time dynamic updating becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static raster image rendering to dynamic vector-based map rendering using SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). This allows the map to be dynamically updated in real-time by modifying the underlying data structures and re-rendering only the changed portions, rather than dealing with immutable raster images. The vector format enables flexible manipulation of map elements for real-time updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of map representation from raster (pixel-based) to vector (coordinate-based). This parameter change enables efficient real-time updates by allowing mathematical manipulation of geographic coordinates and map features, facilitating dynamic content updates without the limitations of pixel-based rendering.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional HTML protocol is used for communication between user device and database server, then basic data exchange is achieved, but sharing data between multiple database servers and devices becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal data exchange framework that works across multiple database servers and user devices simultaneously. The architecture uses standardized interfaces and protocols that enable any user device to communicate with any database server, creating a versatile multi-user environment beyond simple one-to-one HTML communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer (application server and communication protocol) that mediates between user devices and database servers. This intermediary handles the complexity of multi-server communication, allowing seamless data sharing across the network without requiring direct complex peer-to-peer connections between all devices and servers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customized maps are generated for single users, then user-specific customization is achieved, but supporting multiple users concurrently is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the map data into static components (base map, fixed features) and dynamic components (user locations, real-time messages). This segmentation allows the system to serve multiple users concurrently by efficiently managing individual user data while sharing common static map resources, improving both multi-user support and generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of regenerating entire customized maps for each user from scratch, the system performs partial updates by only modifying and transmitting the dynamic portions of the map data. This partial action approach maintains multi-user customization while significantly improving productivity by reducing redundant processing.
4Reliability
If entire maps are updated in real-time, then all users see current information, but resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and updates only the dynamic content portions of the map (user locations, messages, events) while leaving the static map infrastructure unchanged. This extraction approach ensures all users receive accurate real-time information about changing elements without the computational overhead of updating the entire map data set.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial updates by transmitting and rendering only the specific dynamic elements that have changed, rather than refreshing the complete map. This selective partial updating maintains information accuracy while minimizing computational resource consumption and network bandwidth usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for creating customized maps for each concurrent user by combining static information in the form of map outline and landmark information and dynamic information in the form of user location and user messages and rendering the customized maps in real time. The geographical coordinates of the outline map is projected in 2 dimensional coordinates which are then converted to string format, thereby making them editable in real time. The customized outline map having dynamic and static data is rendered in vector graphics to each concurrent user in real time and customized as desired. In accordance with the present disclosure, for a rendered customized outline map, further updation may relate only to the dynamic data of the map thereby rending the map efficiently.